Sports briefs for Aug. 13, 2014

‘Wacky Wednesday’ races postponed

Speedway 95’s “Wacky Wednesday” program for Aug. 13 was postponed because of poor weather conditions. It has been rescheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16 and will run in conjunction with that night’s regularly scheduled program beginning at 7 p.m.

Maine 4th in women’s soccer poll

The University of Maine women’s soccer team has been selected third in the 2014 America East preseason poll released Wednesday.

Defending America East champion Maryland-Baltimore County was selected to repeat, as the Retrievers received 59 points in the poll to edge second-place Stony Brook by one point. Maine (48) was next, followed by Hartford (47), New Hampshire (32), Vermont (30), Binghamton (26) and Albany and University of Massachusetts-Lowell (13 points each).

Maine finished 9-5-5 a year ago and was in contention to win the 2013 America East title until the final week of the season. The Black Bears return 16 letterwinners, including five of its top seven scorers from last year.

Story continues below advertisement.

Court denies Sterling’s bid to halt Clippers sale

A California appeals court Wednesday rejected former Los Angeles Clippers co-owner Donald Sterling’s attempt to have the $2 billion sale of the NBA team put on hold, effectively dealing a final blow to Sterling’s bid to have the deal blocked.

Sterling, who has been banned for life from the NBA for making racist remarks, asked the court for an immediate stay on the sale, brokered by his estranged wife, to former Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer until Sterling’s appeal could be heard by the court.

Notre Dame names Golson starting QB

Everett Golson has been named Notre Dame’s starting quarterback for the second time in three years, coach Brian Kelly announced Wednesday.

Kelly said Golson, a redshirt junior, will start as quarterback when Notre Dame opens at home against Rice University on Aug. 30. Kelly said he made the decision Tuesday night and informed Golson and redshirt freshman Malik Zaire before Wednesday’s practice.

Golson was the starter in 2012, when he passed for 2,405 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions.

The 6-foot, 200-pound Golson was suspended from school in the fall of 2013 for what he said was “poor academic judgment.” Golson was re-admitted to the university in December.

Manfred favorite to succeed Selig

Rob Manfred, Major League Baseball’s chief operating officer, is considered the favorite among three candidates to succeed Bud Selig as MLB commissioner. Club owners will vote Thursday over a changing of the guard.

Manfred, Selig’s right-hand man, was recommended by a search committee along with MLB executive vice president in charge of business Tim Brosnan and Boston Red Sox chairman Tom Werner as candidates to take over the reins of the $8 billion league.

In January, 80-year-old Selig will end a 23-year reign, the second longest behind the 24 years served by MLB’s first commissioner, Kenesaw Mountain Landis.

A three-quarters vote is required to elect a new commissioner, with the winner needing the backing of 23 of the 30 clubs at MLB’s quarterly meeting in Baltimore.

Ward Sr. doubts Stewart’s innocence

Tony Stewart faces no imminent charges in the racetrack death of Kevin Ward Jr., but the father of the driver killed at Canandaigua Motorsports Park questions Stewart’s innocence.

“Apparently, Tony Stewart was the only one driving out there who didn’t see him,” Ward Sr. told the Syracuse Post-Standard.

Ward Jr., 20, was pushed into the wall when Stewart bumped his car in the dirt-track race in New York. Ward Jr. got out of his car and walked onto the track, where he was struck by Stewart.

“Tony Stewart was the best damn driver by far on the track that night. Why he had to go up as high as he did and hog my son, there’s no reason for it,” Ward Sr. said.

Ontario County sheriff Philip C. Povero issued a statement Tuesday setting expectations for a two-week investigation, including a recreation of the fatal crash.g

Stewart has not announced plans for this week, when the Sprint Cup comes to Michigan International Speedway.